North Korean leader Kim Jong-un (R), walks past his uncle North Korean politician Jang Song-thaek, during a military parade to mark the birth anniversary of the late leader, Kim Jong-il in Pyongyang.

The execution of the uncle of Pyongyang's top leader may temporarily affect some cooperation projects with China, but economic ties between the neighbours will remain stable in the long run, analysts say.

The Democratic People's Republic of Korea's official news agency KCNA reported on Friday that Jang Song-thaek, uncle of supreme leader Kim Jong-un, was executed on Thursday for being a traitor.

Jang was in charge of economic affairs and cooperation with China.

"Following Jang's execution, the DPRK is likely to review cooperation projects with China," said Gao Haorong, an expert on DPRK studies at the Xinhua Center for World Affairs Studies, a think tank under Xinhua News Agency.

Jang led delegations to China for negotiations on economic projects, including Hwanggumpyong Island, a special economic zone near Dandong in Liaoning province.

Chen Qi, a professor in international affairs at Tsinghua University, said that after Jang's execution, China and the DPRK may need some time to rebuild connections to continue cooperation on such projects and to further their economic cooperation.

But Wang Junsheng, a researcher in East Asian studies at the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, said the impact will be short-term and limited.

"Pyongyang needs China to support its economic development, and this offers opportunities for Chinese companies, so both sides want to advance ties," Wang said.

"Both countries have the will to consolidate their relations, given frequent high-level visits," he said.